FRIENDS

I am not very much of a planner, one day I was thinking of friends, and I phoned them if they would be able to spend time on a Sunday with us which was only the next day.  It was a free day for them, so they were delighted to come.

Since we have been away for some time, there are things around the house and the garden to be sorted out, just as well I got the energy and motivation.  It is good to have family or friends to come.
We tend to do better for others, it is human nature.  It does not mean that we do carelessly for our selves. In fact, because we do well for ourselves, it makes us do great or even better to others.

Simple cooking was organised for that Sunday, light but delicious Lunch.  We need to think about what is the right food to have for us. A roast beef, but no potato, instead of sweet potato, green vegetables and Yorkshire pudding for the garnishes.  Fruit sponge for the dessert.

Home baked brown bread
from Roland

Surprise gifts from our guests, Joan and Roland, was freshly baked healthy wholemeal brown bread.   Also beautiful bouquet of Australian native flowers, it's just right for our table.


How to serve a perfect Roast.  It is always my question! 
Here are some tips.  Start from setting up the table than cooking and serving.

Setting up the table: check that all that you need is there.  Plates, glasses, napkins and cutlery.  You may have to rewash them if they have been in the storage for sometimes.

wash them with hot soapy water and vinegar, dry

immediately

Set up the table accordingly, get it ready and organised before you are doing preparation for cooking. Then forget about it, move on in the kitchen to do the cooking. It is essential to know how long the cooking process is going to take and what time you are going to serve the Lunch/Dinner. To heat the plates is very easy, use warm space in the oven or use the dishwasher (I use the dishwasher, it keeps clean and stay warm)

For my Sunday Roast, all cooking process was over in an hour,  the gravy was prepared with brown stock, it was a rich dark brown gravy with a light taste (not fatty).

First I did the Yorkshire batter, refrigerate to rest.

Cooking Preparation

plain flour and salt, eggs, milk and oil for Yorkshire batter

rub the eye fillet with olive oil, freshly ground black pepper, rosemary and garlic

the dark brown stock for delicious gravy

wrap the sweet potato in foil to bake

ingredients for the sponge batter

The guest arrived at 12.o'clock, and Lunch was going to be served approximately at 12.30

Procedures

10.45 the oven is hot at 200 degrees C    ----------------- Bake, the fruit sponge for 18 minutes

11.11 the oven is heated at 230 degrees C   ------------------ Roast the beef for 31 minutes at the same time

           bake the sweet potato wrap in foil, it's cooked at the same time with the Yorkshire.

           Rest the meat, cover with foil until serving time.

11.16 Place the dinner plates, dessert plates, gravy bowl in the dishwasher put on 43 minutes cycle.  

          It stopped at 11.59, perfect, the guest was here at 12.00 

11.41 place the tin and oil in the oven and reduce the heat to 210 degrees C

          pour the batter of Yorkshire then bake for 18 minutes

12.10 cooking vegetables ---------------------------ready at 12.19

          put in a warmed bowl

12.12 reheat the brown gravy  --------------- place in a warmed gravy boat

12.22 dress and slice the sweet potato ------ place in a warmed plate

12.24 cut the roast meat place on a heated serving plate

12.26, the dinner is served.

Serving

Take the clean, warm plates from the dishwasher, bring to the table.

Everyone enjoyed the hot roast dinner on a warmed plate, the food stayed warm for some time.

Having friends around, cooking a delicious meal for our guests is excellent, but the most important thing is enjoying their company.

I hope you like the tips about how to cook a perfect roast.  It works for a young family with children too, what you need are time and organisation.  Do for the family and of course for dear 'friends'.

  It was a good catch up thanks for the company.  

Until next post

Thanks For Visiting My Blog

Susy